About us:

Welcome to Orchard Manor School

Orchard Manor School is a vibrant, values-driven specialist community where every child is known, respected and supported to belong. Rooted in strong relationships and a deep commitment to respect, kindness and wellbeing, our school is a place where pupils and staff thrive together. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, reflective culture, where learning is meaningful, personalised and ambitious, and where staff are well supported to continually develop their expertise. Set within beautiful woodland grounds in the seaside town of Dawlish, Orchard Manor offers a unique environment where education extends beyond the classroom, preparing young people for confident, independent lives within their communities.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a committed and reflective teacher to join our KS3 team on a one-year maternity cover contract. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly supportive, inclusive school where teaching is purposeful, relational and centred around the needs of each individual pupil.

About the Role

As a KS3 teacher, you will:

·       - Plan and deliver high-quality, engaging and personalised learning

·       - Teach within or across our three pathways — Explore, Discovery or Investigate — adapting provision to how pupils access learning

·       - Use a Total Communication approach to support all pupils to engage and express themselves

·       - Contribute to a curriculum where communication, independence, regulation and life skills sit alongside academic learning

·       - Work closely with Teaching Assistants, therapists, families and other professionals

·       - Support pupils’ preparation for adulthood through meaningful, real-life learning experiences

About You

We are looking for a teacher who wants to make a genuine difference as part of a values-led school community.

You will:

·       - Ideally have experience of teaching a primary curriculum, or experience of working within a special educational needs (SEN) setting

·       - Be passionate about inclusive education and improving outcomes for pupils with autism and communication needs

·       - Use a relational, calm and consistent approach to support learning, behaviour and wellbeing

·       - Be flexible and reflective, able to adapt teaching to highly personalised needs

·       - Work effectively as part of a team and value collaboration with families and professionals

·       - Hold high expectations for all learners

We welcome applications from teachers at different stages of their career. Whether you already have SEND experience or are keen to develop your expertise, you will be well supported through strong teamwork, coaching and professional development.

 Why Join Orchard Manor School?

·       - A supportive, collaborative and highly skilled staff team

·       - A strong focus on staff development and professional growth

·       - A clear, well-established curriculum and teaching approach

·       - A unique environment with woodland and outdoor learning opportunities

·       - A values-driven culture where relationships and wellbeing are prioritised

Our Total Reward Offer:

The Special Partnership Trust recognises the importance of developing a properly implemented People Strategy to underpin the overall strategic aims of the Trust.

Our People Strategy is designed to help us attract prospective high calibre candidates, as well as drive engagement, productivity and retention of our high performing and high potential employees. It reflects our belief in putting our people first. This does not mean putting our learners second. It is based on the philosophy that if we create a positive and rewarding work environment, if our staff feel motivated, well managed and well supported, they in turn will provide the best possible outcome for our learners.

We recognise that our total reward offer, has got to consist of more than just money. We seek to provide our staff with a diverse range of benefits that support their day to day needs both at work and outside of work. These include generous leave entitlements and pension scheme as well as access to health/wellbeing tools, training & development, career pathways and opportunities to ensure they feel valued.

Please visit the Special Partnership website, www.specialpartnership.org for further information about our Trust, or to learn more about our People Strategy and Benefits click here.

If you need the application form or any part of the recruitment process in a different format, please contact us directly at kbuckle-cooper@orchard-manor.org and we will make the necessary adjustments.

Are you ready to make a lasting impact? Join us today. 

Safeguarding:

The Special Partnership Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the satisfactory completion of checks and references, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In accordance with guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education; the Trust will undertake an online search of all shortlisted candidates.